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Cammell Laird wins multi million pound contract to build two new vessels for Western Ferries

Gordon Ross, Managing Director of Western Ferries, today (MONDAY JUNE 11) announced the signing of a multi-million contract with Cammell Laird for two new vehicle and passenger ferries for its Gourock to Dunoon route.

Cammell Laird had previously been awarded preferred bidder status for the project. Construction will begin shortly with both vessels due to be delivered to the Firth of Clyde in August 2013 in time for the Cowal Games Weekend in Dunoon.

The contract was formally signed at a ceremony in Birkenhead attended by Western Ferries Managing Director Gordon Ross and Cammell Laird Chief Executive John Syvret.

Mr Ross said that he was delighted to appoint Cammell Laird after it made the most commercially compelling case for the work.

“Since appointing Cammell Laird as the preferred bidder, both companies have been working closely to ensure the highest quality of the finished product,” he said. “Cammell Laird’s bid to undertake this work was immensely strong on cost, on expertise and on the quality of its facilities. With such an attractive and competitive bid and with its heritage of maritime excellence, we ultimately trusted Cammell Laird to deliver the highest quality of build, on time and to budget.”

“These new ferries will be larger, faster and substantially more fuel efficient than the vessels they are replacing,” he said. “They will provide an additional capacity of up to 20 per cent to accommodate an expected increase in future demand fuelled by the local community, visitors to Dunoon and Cowal as well as those who choose to use our service in preference to the A82 Rest and Be Thankful road. Moreover, this additional speed will also provide Western Ferries with the ability to increase frequencies during peak periods thereby delivering a further 50 per cent increase in capacity.”

“Western Ferries’ Gourock to Dunoon service provides a strategic link between the West Coast of Scotland and the Central Belt and these new vessels represent a significant investment for the Company, its employees, the local and the wider community who all rely on our service.”

Mr Ross said that despite strong international competition, Western Ferries is pleased that the new ferries, which will carry the Cammell Laird hull numbers 1387 and 1388, will be fully built in the UK.

Cammell Laird chief executive John Syvret CBE said the firm is delighted to win the contract with Western Ferries.

“Delivering the highest quality vessels to Western Ferries will send a powerful message to the maritime engineering sector that Cammell Laird is one of the best shipyards in Europe,” he said.

“Cammell Laird is already working on a diverse range ship repair, conversion, refit and ship building contracts in the commercial and military marine sectors including the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier programme. This deal will again showcase our world class workforce and facilities which includes one of the largest modular construction halls in Europe.”